Date: 2025-10-27 07:10:00

Economic Development And Planning Committee Decisions

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE DECISIONS

The following decisions were taken at the Economic Development and Planning Committee (ECOD) meeting held on 24 October. 

These recommendations are still subject to final approval by Full Council.

DURBAN BUSINESS FAIR EXCELLENCE AWARDS AND DURBAN FASHION FAIR

Recognising the success of previous editions, the Committee announced it will double the prize funding for the 2026 edition of the Durban Business Fair Excellence Awards, further cementing Durban’s reputation as a premier African hub for business and fashion.

The 14th Durban Fashion Fair that took place in September and the Durban Business Fair Excellence Awards highlighted the City’s commitment to supporting small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and the creative sector.

A total of 23 winners from the awards received enterprise development support valued at R520 000.

The Durban Fashion Fair featured 68 designers, including participants from Namibia and Zimbabwe, generating more than R90 000 in ticket and exhibition sales while boosting SMME income through a pop-up market.

RESURGENCE CONFERENCE DURBAN 2025

Held in September, the reSURGEnce Conference was hailed for positioning Durban as an investment-ready African city. 

The event drew 1 718 delegates from 38 countries, including the United States of America, and featured 42 speakers and 130 exhibitors.

The conference generated R24 million in direct spending, R36 million in indirect and induced benefits, and a total R60 million contribution to Durban’s GDP, supporting 108 jobs and generating R4.5 million in taxes.

DURBAN FILM OFFICE TO FORGE NEW INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

The committee agreed on the Durban Film Office (DFO) initiating a three-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with leading industry-based non-profit organisations to strengthen and sustain Durban’s film and television sector.

The selected partners include the Durban FilmMart Institute, the Centre for Creative Arts, Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), K-CAP KwaZulu-Natal African Film Festival, Waterloo Film Festival, and uMlazi International Film Festival.

The partnership aims to deliver a coordinated programme of film festivals, markets, training initiatives, and audience development events that will foster a vibrant, inclusive, and economically sustainable creative industry.

DURBAN TOURISM BUSINESS AWARDS TO CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS

The ECOD Committee approved the three-year budget adjustment, with a shortfall of R1,223,103 to be funded through reprioritisation within the domestic marketing budget. 

This will ensure that the Durban Tourism Business Awards will continue for another three years.

Preparations are underway to ensure that the 5th edition of the Awards exceed the previous years, adding greater value to participants and the City’s tourism sector. 

The financial projection for the next three years is R7.3 million, with R330 000 from the domestic marketing budget allocated to support the awards’ fashion show component.

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY AND INNOVATE DURBAN

The Committee also received a progress report on the partnership between eThekwini Municipality and Innovate Durban, which highlighted how the partnership promotes innovation-led growth, entrepreneurship, and skills development in line with the City’s Integrated Development Plan.

One of the initiatives being driven by Innovate Durban is the SHEshisa Programme, which places women entrepreneurs at the centre of innovation. 

Of the 15 female business founders, 13 completed the programme, achieving significant growth through digital adoption, product testing, brand refinement, and strategic partnerships.

In 2024/25, the Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC) marked its ninth year with 59 participants producing 12 prototypes addressing key issues such as water scarcity, health sciences, and microplastics. 

Seventeen innovators secured funding, though female participation fell short of the 40% target, signaling the need for stronger gender-focused outreach.

OCEAN INNOVATION AFRICA SUMMIT DURBAN

Building on successful collaborations such as the 2024 Maritime Investment Summit and the 2025 Maritime Summit, eThekwini Municipality is set to host the Ocean Innovation Africa Summit in 2026. 

This strategic partnership will position Durban as a leading hub for maritime innovation and investment in the blue economy.

Matters noted by the ECOD Committee will be further processed by the Executive Council and approved by Full Council.

ENDS

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.